Samsung has a thing with cameras lately, it seems, and putting Android on them. Or attaching a phone to them. Eventually, I expect we will see the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Camera, the world's first stylus tablet with a full-frame DSLR attached to the back. Until then, though, we may have to settle for the Galaxy NX - the spiritual successor to Samsung's not-exactly-lauded Galaxy Camera. Behold its [alleged] massiveness.

These photos were leaked on Vietnamese size Tienthe.vn, and they aren't without their faults. The screenshots appear to have been added a bit after-the-fact, and either may be the work of the images' publisher, or an unfinished draft of Samsung's press renders. The body of the camera, though, looks quite real. And as far as I can tell, there is no Samsung camera out there that matches up with this body - this is a new piece of hardware. The closest resemblance is the Samsung NX20, a not-so-compact mirrorless, with which the Galaxy NX does share a considerable amount of its design. That device, though, costs $1100.

Today's earlier rumor claimed this is a mirrorless camera, and at first blush, that almost looks not to be true. However, the lack of a mirror in the exposed sensor area in the third picture means we're almost definitely looking at a digital viewfinder that has been positioned to look like an optical viewfinder. Aesthetics, I guess? Samsung also doesn't make any high-end cameras with OVFs, so there's that, too.

Specifications remain basically rumors at this point, though a suggested 20.3MP APS-C sensor sounds plausible, as does Android 4.2.2. Speculation around screen size and processor have varied. We do know the NX has 18-55mm and 18-200mm lenses available, as well as a third lens whose focal length is not readily visible. They are presumably fitted for Samsung's NX mount.

Cost, however, will be this camera's biggest concern. The Galaxy Camera was greatly overpriced for the quality of images it provided, no doubt a result of its high-end smartphone processor and touchscreen arrangement (as well as a larger battery cell). Stuffing similarly complex components into a premium mirrorless camera may send the cost into the stratosphere.

More likely, the Galaxy NX's key components (sensor, lenses) are based on one of the cheaper NX-series cameras, like the NX1000, to keep the cost somewhere south of "egregious." If this actually does contain the pieces from Samsung's top-tier NX20, though, expect a wallet shock that will quickly put it out of your reach.

All in all, this camera just doesn't seem like a good idea. With the prosumer camera market shifting quickly into very compact mirrorless products from the likes of Sony, Pentax, and Fujifilm, Samsung's Galaxy NX feels like last week's casserole. Sure, a smarter camera is a great idea, but when you risk alienating most of your potential customers with pricing and a chunky form-factor, are a touchscreen and TouchWiz really worth it? For people who actually care about cameras, I'm guessing the answer is a resounding "no."

We'll know if these images are the real McCoy come June 20th, but my gut's definitely leaning the direction of "unfortunately, yes."

David's phone is whatever is currently sitting on his desk. He is an avid writer, and enjoys playing devil's advocate in editorials, and reviewing the latest phones and gadgets. He also doesn't usually write such boring sentences.

Comments

And don't forget that you can play candy crush, temple run 2 or even Real Racing 3 in the middle of a wedding while you're not taking pictures.

WTF!

ShahinTr

Brilliant! :'D

Yorick Reuvekamp

The screenshot doesn't look right. The perspective seems off. It's as if they took a regular screenshot and skewed it in Photoshop.

http://www.androidpolice.com/ David Ruddock

Yep, that's really the one big issue. Everything else kind of checks out, though. There is no Samsung camera out there that looks like this, and the chances of it being a 3D fabrication seem pretty low. Like I said, it's possible the leaker put on the screens to make it seem more "real" (even if it has the opposite effect), or they're Samsung placeholders.

Give access to mirror-less tech through a well known OS is not a good idea? Really?!!!

marcusmaximus04

Eh, this article assumes that the cost of the processor, screen, etc scale with the cost of the general device. They don't. Whatever processor, screen, etc is in this, it'll likely be the same or very similar to what's in the normal galaxy camera. With the same cost for Samsung to put it in.

With the much higher cost overall for DSLR's, I'd expect the percentage increase in price to be far less from adding Android.

ssj4Gogeta

I agree. I see nothing wrong with putting Android on a camera. They could even have relevant API's (for example, how the images are processed, compressed, etc.) which developers could use. As for the cost, I don't believe the cost of adding the processor and capacitive touch would be significant compared to how much a high-end camera costs.

HopelesslyFaithful

what maybe 200-300 bucks tops? Yea would some nice android hardware at that price

Sean Lumly

Why is Android running on a camera such a bad idea? Given the option (at a competitive price), would you prefer a feature-poor, app-less, proprietary OS? Certainly Android on a camera opens up a sea of new possibilities to serious photo-taking, from on-device editing, filters, to seamless file-sharing and transfer. I'm sure there are likely other creative uses as well for automated shooting, voice commands, or perhaps edit-via-tablet, etc, etc, etc.

We want Android to run in cars, TVs, as consoles, plane entertainment systems, and on watches and glasses (for goodness sake), but cameras? That's nuts!

Danny Davis

Samsung trying to do too much Android.

mechapathy

How? It's an embedded OS. Put it anywhere. Even in an oven, or in a camera, or in the dash of your car.

Danny Davis

Exactly. An oven? Really you feel an Oven needs yo have an OS to play angry birds? Smdh

mechapathy

It doesn't HAVE to be in an oven. But that's called contrast. It's not super useful in an oven. But it would be super useful in a camera.

Sean Lumly

Actually, in an oven, it could remote an image of the food as its cooking, have advanced timers for specific dishes or even attached to recipes, send you notifications when something is finished cooking, respond to you in a human voice, accept voice commands to set various settings, give you service diagnostics if something isn't working, send you reminders, or allow you to remote control the device. Yes, having a flexible OS in an oven would be TREMENDOUSLY useful..

The problem is that you lack imagination.

Danny Davis

No, it makes you tremendously lazy. I don't lack imagination. I lack the sense of being a lazy needy ass.

Sean Lumly

Then what are you doing on the internet? Certainly there are many far less 'lazy' analogues -- you could walk to the library for your information, collect sticks for your games and entertainment, visit friends for your conversations, and paint pictures to record visual memories. Come to think of it, you could take up farming to avoid the trips to the grocery store or eating in restaurants; extremely lazy activities indeed...

Danny Davis

Wow. LMAO. Ok. You "got" me.

Sean Lumly

Indeed. You seem to have equated convenience with laziness. Its ironic in that so much of the quality of our civilization and life is underscored by convenience -- self-cleaning ovens, digital ovens, android ovens, etc, and all.

Danny Davis

Whatever makes you feel better about your life bro.

Joris Griffioen

These ideas rock, I want an Android oven!

Have you seen the Android based thermostat?

Android is just an OS, the huge advantage to using Android over whatever proprietary stuff is that there is an enormous ecosystem already in place. People know how to code for Android.

Plus Android is so extensible and flexible, it could be used anywhere. Hence why Apple is trying to beat them to the punch with "iOS in the car" (best branding evar btw).. I'd love to just run the Spotify app in my car, seamlessly synchronizing the music I was listening to at home to when I have to go.

Sean Lumly

Exactly! I think that was the larger vision for Android, and it's coming to fruition. And of course, all other players will be left scrambling to catch up.

It's also why Android's choice to use an architecture independent executing environment (Java/Dalvik), and a resolution independent UI library were brilliant moves. Other OSs (and their apps) are largely tied to particular hardware -- Android is not, and is so flexible that it can run on extremely low power systems, all the way up to beefy desktops, with all manner of screens/interfaces connected.

It's a new world. More and more devices will be connected online, from light-bulbs to home-entertainment-systems, and Android is positioned to sweep into this new market in which there is little to no serious competition.

RTWright

Crawl out from under your rock, pull your head out from where ever it is you have it stuck man. Everything in the world concerning electronics is going this way, deal with it. The fact of the matter is Android was designed initially to be used in cameras. Nikon I believe is working on one, which I believe would be superior to Samsung's in a great many ways, because that's all they do is cameras.

There is a great many different uses for an OS, not just playing some stupid game on your phone, texting while you should be watching the road, constantly monitoring your Facebook or Twitter feeds. There is a lot more to what a OS can do other than just be on your smartphones.

How about an Android Home Security System? Or an Android Climate Control System? Or an Android Home System that turns lights off and on and allows voice commands to turn on your Stereo, TV or any other services you can think of in your home? I can think of a ton of stuff that it could be used for. Why not Android? Microsoft has done this a few times.

You just lack any foresight as to what it can be used for other than Mobile Technology. It's already in Car Stereos too, that basically operate off of your Smartphone and has access to all the apps you have on your phone pretty much. You even have Watches with Android on them, as well as Google's Glass. You should have seen this coming and not be so shocked.

Danny Davis

Lmao oooo I touched some nerves. Guess going against the grain on AP makes me a certified douche bag. Lol. Because of one comment people judge me thinking I'm not Android oriented when I'm sure most of y'all jumped bandwagon when it got popular. Lol. Oooooo get with the times. LMAO lame. FYI I actually am buying the Nest thermostat cause i think that's innovated. Not walking to check the meat in the oven 5 ft away is a lazy ass. You can continue to flame off now. Its not that damn serious. Lol. AP commenters. Lol

RTWright

Well if you wouldn't speak to people on here like a second grader with bad spelling and grammar to boot. You might get some level of respect, but you're attitude speaks mountains about you as a person. As for jumping the bandwagon? You're one to speak then, because to bring that up, you probably were right there with everyone else.

Just to let you know, even though it's pointless at to talk to someone like you obviously. I went Android after I got grid of my Blackberry Bold, because I couldn't stand Apple's iPhone. But you sir, seriously need a attitude check. Because if you think you upset me, if you thought I was being hot, heated, or otherwise angry with you on your first post which showed your blatant stupidity and childlike behavior? You're very much mistaken.....

Oh, not everyone sits in the bloody kitchen while something is baking, especially some food that takes hours to cook properly. So again, you showed your stupidity, calling people lazy asses. Well, again, you showed your true colors! Good job sir!

Danny Davis

Don't ever talk to me about grammar if you don't even know when to use a or an in a sentence. I don't know what a grid is. And its ironic you talk about about 2nd grade when all I said was Samsung doing too much and look at the tirade that followed. So your ranting has little concern to me. You can continue.

Danny Davis

But i guess you think its cool to have an android flushing toilet too. Lol

mechapathy

I guess you just pulled that out of your ass.

Danny Davis

I lolz

Bleakvision

Actually that is exactly what a lot of potential mirrorless customers want and as in my case, have demanded for years now. Cameras should have a powerful OS like Android and full access to the Internet and apps. It's common sense in 2013.

Sony better gets working on an Android powered NEX camera sooner than later or loose another booming market to Samsung. I promise you, if given the choice between a NEX with a 3.5" resistive screen, or a Samsung with full Android and a 5" Amoled display, the average consumer will always go for the flashy Samsung product. LIke they have in the smartphone market for years now. Better wake up Sony!

Brian Daniels

I would say the third lens is an 85 mm 1:1.4 prime lens. There are no markings for different focal lengths like the zoom lenses. Also it looks almost exactly like my 85 mm prime I have for my Canon DSLR.

As a Photographer, I use Nikon DSLR's primarily. Thing is, from what I read on another well known Android site, is that when Android was first being developed, it was for the intent to use on Cameras. All DSLR's have an OS on them, granted it's Proprietary and you can't do anything with it, but it's still there. Personally I see this is a great innovative advancement for DSLR's, not just Samsung because I know at one point Nikon was working on something with Android as well.

Problem with Samsung is that it'll be over-priced and usually have Carriers tied into it because it has phone capabilities which will turn me away from it. I'd not mind it with WiFi only capabilities because then it can use my Phone connection. But I'll wait for someone more experienced in making real cameras than Samsung, not that this isn't going to be something nice, but I'll wait just the same.

Sean Lumly

At the very least, Samsung is influential, so hopefully we will see competitors scrambling to compete and in-turn releasing their own smart-cameras.

RTWright

Definitely, I have nothing against this innovative step they're taking here at all. I think this is a great way to get something like this started. Someone has to be the first one to go big with it, they have the means to do it. I just fear that the Carriers ( Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, etc... ) will get in on it and that would be bad, very, very bad. Because as a Photographer, the last thing you need is to have issues with your camera because of the phone service on it is acting up, not to mention the HUGE monthly bill for using something like this.

That's why I said I'll wait on Nikon to do something, because at least then my lenses would all work on it and it would more than likely be WiFi only for the Android side of it. I hate carriers so much now that I'm actually not renewing my account with Sprint and going to a much cheaper pay as you go company that runs off of the AT&T network.

I can't wait to see what comes from this camera, I'd like to see one in person and make my own judgement on it based on physically holding it and seeing what it can and can't do. Love the Mirrorless idea, so we'll have to wait and see how this goes. :)

GraveUypo

this looks like it could be a real camera, not just a stupid toy. but then again, the android part is really unnecessary :|

Mark Bos

This is a device for photographers that use Google+. They'll be able to upload theyr new photos of a wedding straight to theyr Google+ account and edit the photos right away. BOOM! a whole wedding album is online before they even get at the hotel.

Aaron Rupp

I'm excited about it.
It's the dream of DSLR users to control their cameras with a smart phone instead of the dated menu systems they come with. This looks like the biggest step yet toward that goal.